HAMILTON, Bermuda--Johnny Barnes, a beloved Bermuda icon and national treasure, passed away Saturday at the age of 93.
Barnes is best known for his decades of standing at the Crow Lane Roundabout, originally from 3:40am to 10:00am, and greeting motorists on their way into Hamilton on Mondays through Fridays with a hearty “I love you” or “Good Morning” with a big friendly wave or two hands pressed to his mouth, then outward to signify a kiss.
He didn’t need any money to be such a goodwill ambassador to the people, his payment was the smiles, waves and kind words directed back at him.
Such was his unfailing spirit to help spread the love, that a bench, then a railing was erected to help him say “I love you” to all who passed by. Finally, last December he had to give up his familiar spot when his health wouldn’t allow him to take up his post.
Johnny was immortalised in a Desmond Fountain statue on East Broadway in which his arms are outstretched greeting passers by. Fountain said he came up with the idea for the statue because he was afraid Johnny “wouldn’t be given any recognition or appreciation.”
He has also been the subject of two movies: the short documentary by New York-based filmmaker Rosanne Ma entitled Welcoming Arms and Matt Morris’ short Mr. Happy Man.
Barnes told the filmmaker in Mr. Happy Man: “I’m just a little small instrument in the hands of God to be used in any way He sees fit.” He said he wanted to give a message that “Life is sweet; life is beautiful.”
He started his call of shouting out to people “I love you” when he was eating his lunch on a wall as a railway worker. After the Bermuda Railway closed, Barnes took up greeting passengers as a bus driver.
Barnes was quoted as saying, “If we learn to love one another then there wouldn’t be any wars; there wouldn’t be any killing; there wouldn’t be any fighting because we’re loving one another.”
While the icon has passed, he would want us to live up to his words in the Mr. Happy Man film: “Just enjoy life while you are alive. Enjoy the sunshine, the flowers and birds.”
And the best tribute we could give to honour Barnes is to tell people “I love you.”
Premier Michael Dunkley extended condolences following Barnes’ passing. He said, “I join with all Bermuda in expressing our sadness at the passing of Mr. Johnny Barnes.
“He was a remarkable, original man whose life gave life to the love we all have in our hearts, and who, from his roundabout perch each morning, expressed that love to all who passed by – friend, acquaintance, stranger, it did not matter because Johnny Barnes embraced the human race.
“Johnny Barnes was the quintessential ambassador for Bermuda. He had an international following which had countless visitors to our island making it a priority to meet and greet Johnny during their stay.
“Not too long ago, I had the special privilege of spending a little time with Johnny and his family and during our conversation I was reminded of his love and appreciation for Bermuda and her people.
“He was a man of resounding faith, love and compassion who always tried to see the goodness and positive in life. He was truly an inspirational figure who will be greatly missed.
“On behalf of the Government, our thoughts and prayers are with Johnny’s loved ones and friends during this time. God bless Johnny Barnes. May he rest in peace.” ~ bernews.com ~
